The Last Stretch

This is the eleventh post in a series by former FLVS student Makaila, a model, author, and student advocate.

Hey FLVS! Summer is almost in your reach.

The unlimited time at the pool, lack of homework, and more importantly, sleep. Summer feels closer than you think, but don’t let it cloud your last grades of the year.

So, to save you in your last few weeks of school, I am going to give you some tips that will lock you in for success.

When I was in school, I was an avid procrastinator, waiting until the last possible minute to do something. Don’t do that to yourself.

I promise the extra time you think you’re giving yourself isn’t worth it. No amount of television or even just hanging out with friends is worth it when it comes to exams. The moments where you will end up cramming could be spent sleeping. And sleeping is a necessity when it comes to not bombing your last exam!

Final exams can be scary and often intimidating; they get such a bad rap and have you stressed to the max. Instead of studying last minute, start prepping in advance. Break up the topics, so you will think it is just another quiz. The word “exam” by far is one of the scariest words I have ever heard. To this day when I am told, “Your final exam will be on this date,” I get stressed out months in advance.

Some people get exam anxiety, and if you’re anything like me, you can totally relate.

To kick the exam anxiety, try doing practice exams or even quizzing yourself on old assessments. Wrap your head around the fact that you have worked this entire year for one class. All your effort and energy have been applied, and if you do the best you can, you have nothing to fear.

I wish I could tell you that final exams don’t count in the long run, but I can’t say that.

What I can say is this: try your best (and if worse comes to worst, at least you can’t fail summer).

Mak Nichols is a model, author, actress, and student advocate on a mission to inspire and support her peers through philanthropic initiatives including the Great American No Bull Challenge and the release of her first book, Blatantly Honest: Normal Teen, Abnormal Life, available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indie Bound. After taking FLVS courses in high school, she is now studying business, entrepreneurship, and writing at the University of Central Florida. Learn more at makailanichols.com.